The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-08

1
Nevertheless we plunged on to wind
ward, for the captain did not dare To
turn now and "scud." We tackled and
tackled, beating on until the sun went
down, and we did not seem to be much
nearer Weymouth or Portland roads,
for which we were aiming. From Port
land island the great Chesl beach, /
knew, and so did all the sailors, extend
ed right away TO Bridgeport, where the
mighty Portland stones have dwindled
through all shapes and sizes of pebble
to sand and gravel; and the biggest al
ways the highest up the bank.
The captain, or sailing-master, was
brave enough, but anxious; the crew
were steady; the gentlemen on board
were serious. the ladies very i'll and
careless of danger The little heir was
fast asleep in my arms, and as we keel
ed over and listened to the slapping and
dashing of the waves outside, and the
rush of water across the deck, | prayed
earnestly and wondered whether we
should ever see Cardewe manor again.
Ill.
1t was evening and we were past
Portland Bill. The captain said we
must 20 about and run in on the tide
to make all the leeway up. The wind
was dead on shore. The waves beat
hich on Chesl bank, and if l could do
some fine writing could tell you about
the curling tops of the masses of water
which poured on the shingle. But that
was nothing to next days sea. That |
shall never forget.
The Fireny had been sighted and con-
siderable anxiety had been expressed
! concerning her. Little did | think that
among the people who were watchin g
us were Charley and Capt. Armstrong,
in fear for the result. Charley told me
afterward that the captain was as cool
as ever, and apparently afraid of getting
wet; so he hired cab and drove down
through Weymouth to the island, leav-
ing Mr.. and Mrs Maytyn-Henry at the
hotel to receive the party if they ran
alongside the pier safely.
The evening was deepening into u
clustering and stormy night as Charley
and Capt. Armstrong drove to Port
land, and our yacht was driven on.
We were still below, when the easier
motion of the yacht, consequent on our
running before the wind, induced us to
90 on deck. Behind us was limitless
tumbling sea, dark clouds, and ruin;
in front the Chesil bank, the island
with its quarries and its prisoners, and
the smooth water of the road beyond.
In an hour or so we should be riding
alongside the pier or in the harbor or
pulling ashore to catch the train home.
So we saidn'
But how is thisp We are not going
for the harbor direct! Yes, we are
what is that behind usp-a roar, then a
flash and another roar. Blow, blow good
wind, ere the storm overtakes us, or
we shall fair badly. Flap! flap! The
wind has suddenly failed u.s. "We are
in the very center of little cyclone!"
So said the captain.
"Bear hand, men; we shall be taken
aback in minuter' shouted the mas
ter, rushing to the tiller. 'Furl, all
up with her-leave the jib alone, clew
| mn tho n,ainsail smartr
No time to lose. Flap! Boom comes
the wind from the northwest with q
rush. The FREELY keels over like toy,
the iib strains. up with the helm"
The canvas splits with fearful, rend-
ing, ripping report, and the yacht
drives down upon Portland.
"Steady, men! All hands out of the
Dinghy Remember the women and
the child! Bend the foresail. Let her
runr' roared the master The yacht
paid of. and, turning her back on the
sea, rushed down channel-alas! into a
tide-eddy, which sucked her under the
rocks of Portland island as the wind
veered again.
The soldiers at the Verne by this
time were crowded upon the cliffs to see
the wreck" Some shouted for ropes,
some FOR rockets, but neither were
Forthcoming. The yacht drove in, and
in five minutes ran between two rocks,
where (the wind having chopped again
to the southwest) she remained stern
to sea-frequently swept by the waves,